Merry Christmas Everyone!!

Had a great Christmas Eve (Once I had finished work!)  Escorted three very elegant young ladies to Alford Bistro where we had a superb meal.  Two of the young ladies even went to bed and sleep at a reasonable hour meaning their parents didn't have to stay up till all hours ensuring Santa had delivered.

Well we have now completed what can only be described as an orgy of present opening as evidenced by the pictures below. 

For the first time in a long time we actually got a bit of a lie in on Christmas day, woken up at 08.30 by the sound of Ellie laughing her socks off at a Top Gear special on iPlayer.  

So the highlights?  Ellie has a new camera and a GPS to go geocaching with, Isobel has a new bike , new bouyancy aid and new sailing holdall, Julie has lots of new warm clothes, and me?  Well what more could a dad ask for than a DSC Handheld VHF radio and a bottle of Jura whisky, oh and not forgetting several cycling books!

Its' Official, Christmas Has Started

Its official, Christmas has started as the Greens Christmas tree is up and decorated ( by Isobel).  She has gone for a more subtle look this year!  Did have one slight problem, got the tree, then remembered that the tree stand and decorations are all in Oban.........oops!  Nothing that a trip to Tesco's and Homebase couldn't sort out though.  If anyone is short on tree decorations this year, do let us know, we rather over bought!

Robert Gordons Christmas Concert

Seriously proud parents last night. Our second experience of the Robert Gordons Christmas Concert..........who needs the RSNO when you can have that!  Started off with Ellie singing in the P6-7 choir then Isobel singing in the S1-2 choir, quickly followed by Isobel on Tenor Sax in the Intermediate Concert band.  All worth every penny of the money!

Short video of Ellies Choir below, (Part 1)

Part 1 from Paul Green on Vimeo.

Isobel's Concert Band and Choir in Part 2

Xmas Concert Part 2 from Paul Green on Vimeo.


A Baking Day

Today could best be described as "Dreich", or in plain English, dull, wet, cold and miserable!  so what better to do than a little baking to warm the heart and stomach.

As seen below, the master baker and decorator Ellie!

Hockey

Great day at the hockey today, Ellie playing for the Primary 7 "B" team. They beat the Senior 1 "B" team 4-0. How about that for a result!  Some very happy P7's and certainly a very happy Ellie!!

Sailing at Peterhead

Great day sailing up at Peterhead today.  Somewhat frosty start, breaking the ice off the self bailers so we could open them to let the water out and a cover stiff with frost.  Definately a day for the drysuit and thermals.

Wind died altogether going out to the start, took 30 mins just to get the 400yards or so from the beech to the comittee boat.  After a patient wait, wind finally filled in (with plenty of holes to catch the unwary).  Had 3 good races, first one went well and should be well up there on handicap, not so sure about the second race and definately only managed third or fourth out of five in the third.  Great weather though and fantastic light.

Saturday Hockey

Isobel played in goal for the full game for the Robert Gordons S2 hockey first team today.  Result, RGC 5 - Aberdeen Grammar 0. Only complaint, the team are too good!  Isobel had to stand through an entire match and never even touched the ball!

Cupcake Heaven

 Wednesday saw Ellie having Charlotte and Eilidh over for a sleepover, a very productive time was had by all.  Particularly good were the cupcakes baked by Isobel and decorated by Charlotte, Eilidh and Ellie.  Nothing minimalist about the decoration!  As you can see Ellie particularly enjoyed the fruits of her labour!

Saturday saw the first snow of the winter, not too bad though, roads were clear enough for cycling by mid-morning although there were a few "moments" in the slush at the top section of the Lords Throat road.

Walk from Seaview Towards Cuan

Sunday, final day of the hols, needless to say, best day yet.  Warm and sunny.  Went over to Seaview on the way to Elenabeich, light breeze but a long swell coming in from the Atlantic thet led to some great waves.

The view down to Scarba from between Seaview and Cuan

Walking The Dogs!

Weather a bit iffy on Saturday.  Managed to use the excuse of taking thre neighbours dgs for a walk to coax Ellie round a the local hills.  Usual fabulous views across Luing and Scarba across to Colonsay.  Lost Julie to some blackberry picking on the way home...........however all enjoyed the resulting blackberry and apple crumble!

Friday was a trip up to Loch Creran for a family cycle.  Parked at the Sealife Centre and used the new Sustrans cycle Network track up to Loch Creran and then around the loch on the old road.  Fabulous weather and beautiful views up to Bein Sgulaird and Bein Fhionnlaidh.

Big issue was the size of Isobel in comparison to the size of the bike!  Oh well, guess that's the Xmas list getting a little longer!

Autumn Colours At Achnacloich

Wednesday saw a trip to Poppies for coffee (for coffee read obscenely calorific cakes) then on to Achnacloich garden (to walk off some of the recently absorbed calories) where there were some beautiful autumn colours although the weather was a little driech!

End of Season Kayaking

Monday saw a beautiful evening, flat calm and a Spring tide in the evening along with a magnificent sunset.  Perfect for an evening Kayak.

Munro Bashing!

Great start to the holiday last week.  Ellie was away at a friends' so Isobel Julie and I took the opprtunity to go hillwalking.  Bagged a couple of Munroes in behind Ben Cruachan, Ben Eunaich and Ben A Chochuill.  As you can see, not the warmest of days to start with!

A quick cup of tea on top of Ben Eunaich did the job and Isobel was not to be denied her second munro of the day so it was on to Ben A Chochuill.  Her tally now a respectable 8 Munroes..........no turning back now.......just 270 or so to go!

Oh well , guess I'll have to go round them all over again!

http://www.munromagic.com/RouteInfo.cfm/106

Paul

Dobizzie Is The Champion!

Yea....... thanks everyone for all your votes.  Dobizzy won the whitestuff competition netting a £250 donation to Monymusk Guides and £250 WhiteStuff vouchers which will also be used to raise further funds.  Isobel just has to try and live it down after all her classmates saw the picture!  The things you have to do to get votes!!

Ellie's new specs have arrived to much excitement! Cool or what!

Well..........here we go, my first attempt at blogging.  So please be patient, we will try and use this blog to keep you all up to date with what is happening in the Green family.  Last weekend was a highpoint for Isobel, but not great for my sleep.  Saturday saw Isobel making it into the Robert Gordons S2 Hockey first team, final score Gordonston 0 RGC 7, her only complaint was that as goalkeeper, her defence was too good and she just ended up as a spectator whilst all the action was at the other end.

Sunday was a trip up 2 Munroes, Mayar and Dreish, but she forgot her camera so afraid there are no photos but a great day was had including siting three Golden Eagles

http://www.munromagic.com/RouteInfo.cfm/40